Conveyer-chain.



' Patented Sept. 9, I902.- J. G. SCOTT & J.- C. BRECKER.

CUNVEYEB CHAIN.

(Application filed Apr. 18, 1902.)

2 sheats sheet I.

(No Model.)

No. 708,924. Patented Sept. 9, I902.

J. G. SCOTT & J. c. BRECKEB. convsvlan CHAIN.

(Application filed Apr. 18', 1902.) (No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN SCOTT AND JOSEPH C. BREOKER, OF GIRARDVILLE, PENN- SYLVANIA.

CONVEYER-CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,924, datedSeptember 9, 1902.

Application filed April 18 1902;

T ctZZ whom, it 11mg concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN G. SCOTT and JOSEPH C. BREOKER, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Girardville, in the county of Schuylkilland State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements inOonveyer-Chains, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in conveyer-chains,and is especially designed as an improvement upon those generally usedin connection with coal-conveyers. The ordinary or open-link chainsheretofore used have been found objectionable, because of the largeamount of coal which becomes clogged within and between the links and iseither crushed to powder and rendered practically useless or disablesthe apparatus by breaking the chain or throwing it from its sprockets.The continuous services of a special attendant have been found necessaryin order to maintain the chain in working order. Moreover, in the formsof chains usually employed the links are secured together by rivets,which receive practieally all the strain and are soon worn out.

The object of our invention is to overcome the above disadvantages byproviding a chain formed of solid one-piece links having means of novelconstruction whereby the adjacent ends of the links interlock, but canbe readily and quickly detached, as when it is desired to remove orreplace a link.

A further object is to employ simple and inexpensive means whereby theflights or scrapers of the conveyer can be securely fastened to thechain-links.

\Vith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in thenovel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fullydescribed and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,showing the preferred form of our invention, and in which Figure 1 is aside elevation of a section of the conveyer-chain. Fig. 2 is a bottomplan View thereof. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on line ac as,Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the face-plate of theflight-arm Serial No. 103,612. (No model.)

removed. Fig. 5 is a detailview of the stud end of a link. Fig. 6 isa'similar view of the opposite or socket end of a link. Fig. 7 is adetail view of a link, showing the flight-armengaging lugs. Fig. 8 is aView of a flightarm with its parts detached.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a link formed ina single solid piece of metal and provided, preferably at the center ofits top and bottom edges, with lugs 2, for the purpose hereinafter morefully described. The ends of the link are cut away on opposite sides,respectively, as shown at 3 and i, and each is practically circular inform. One of the ends 3 is provided with a semicircular flange 5, whichextends from the edge of its depressed face and the ends of whichterminate at a distance from a shoulder 6, formed by the depressed orcut-away face. The inner face 7 of the flange 5 is inclined inwardly andforms a semicircular socket 8. The opposite end 4 of the link isprovided with a laterally-extending stud 9, arranged concentric to theedge of said end, tapered inwardly from its outer end to fit snuglywithin a socket 8 of another link. All the links are similar inconstruction and are assembled by placing the studs 9 on the depressedends 3 of the adjacent links and in rear of the flanges 5. The studs arethen drawn forward into the sockets '8, and their inclined faces engagethe inclined walls of said flanges and prevent disengagement unlessforced backward. In order to prevent the accidental detaching of thelinks, as when the chain becomes very slack or is folded, We employbolts 10, which pass loosely through apertures 11, formed in the centersof the ends 3 and 4 and are secured in position by means of nuts 12 orother suitable means which can be readily removed.

The flights or scrapers 13 are adapted to be secured to the links bymeans of arms 14. These arms each comprises a head 15, having atransverse recess 16 adapted to receive the link and the walls of whichare cut away, as 5 at 17, to receive the lugs 2, hereinbefore referredto. A face-plate 18 is fitted over the recess 16 and the link thereinand is secured to the head 15 in any suitable manner, as by means ofbolts 19. The arm 14 extends downward from the head 15, and the frontstraight edge thereof is provided with a flange 20, to which the flight13 is adapted to be secured.

It will be seen that the flights are rigidly secured to the links, butin such a manner that they can be quickly and easily detached. Thecircular enlarged ends of the links are adapted to fit in recessesformed in a suitable sprocket, (not shown,) whereby the two are moved inunison. By examining the drawings it will be seen that the ends of thelinks are offset in opposite directions, respectively, as shown at 21and 22. This is done in order to bring the bodies of the links inalinement with the line of draft.

In the foregoing description we have shown the preferred form of ourinvention; but we do not limit ourselves thereto, as we are aware thatmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit orsacrificing the advantages thereof, and we therefore reserve the rightto make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of our invention.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1.In a chain, a link formed in a single solid piece and having a depressedend, a flange partly inclosing said end, and an inclined Wall to theflange forming a socket.

2. In a chain, a link having depressed ends, a semicircular flangepartly inclosing one of said ends and forming a socket having itsgreatest diameter at the bottom, and a tapered circular stud extendinglaterally from the other end of the link, said stud having its greatestdiameter at its outer end.

3. In a chain, a link having enlarged offset ends depressed on oppositesides respectively, a semicircular flange partly inclosing one of saidends and forming a socket having its greatest diameter at the bottom,and a tapered circular stud extending laterally from the other end ofthe link, said stud having its greatest diameter at its outer end.

4. The combination with a link having depressed ends provided with asocket and stud respectively, of a lug upon the link, an arm, a headthereto having a recess for the reception of the link and lug, means forsecuring the head to the link, and a flight secured to the arm.

5. A chain comprisinga series of links each having enlarged offset endsdepressed on opposite sides respectively, a semicircular flange upon oneend forming a socket having its greatest diameter at the bottom, acircular tapered stud at the other end of the link having its greatestdiameter at its outer end, said stud being adapted to engage a socketand interlock therewith, a lug upon each link, and a flight-arm engagingeach lug and its link.

In testimony whereof We aflix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN G. SCOTT. JOSEPH O. BRECKER.

Witnesses:

RICHARD AYRE, JOHN B. GRANGER.

